Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that the struggling club will ride out their current troubles.

"We'll live through the bad moments and over the course of the season we'll do well," he said.

Fans are planning to stage a sit-in protest against American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett on Saturday when Sunderland visit Anfield.

Hodgson added: "The protest doesn't help but the situation is something I've had to live with since I arrived."

Reds chairman Martin Broughton has been trying to find a buyer for the Merseysiders as the early October deadline looms for repaying or refinancing the club's £237.4m debt with Royal Bank of Scotland.

Former Fulham boss Hodgson added: "I, like anyone at Liverpool Football Club, would be very happy if the ownership situation got clarified, and in particular if we got a very good owner that can help us move forward.

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"It tests our mettle, our desire and strength. I am very confident the strength of this club, the strength of the playing staff and the people around me is more than enough for the club to come through this period," he continued.

"But while you are in that period it is unpleasant."

Rich in history and success, the Merseysiders plumbed to a new low on Wednesday after being dumped out of the Carling Cup by League Two side Northampton.

But Hodgson, 63, believes that too much must not be read into one bad result.

Captain Steve Gerrard is also confident that Liverpool are capable of moving up the table.

"I'm not one for being negative - I always look at the bigger picture," said Gerrard. "We've got two winnable games at home against Sunderland and Blackpool and if we can take six points from them I'm sure the league will look a lot brighter."

Liverpool have endured a difficult start to the season and find themselves 16th in
the Premier League table,
although they are still only three points adrift of Manchester City in fourth place.

Though Hodgson admitted that the defeat against Northampton was a "major setback", he has drawn a line under the performance - and, as he seeks to restore morale, stressed that the situation at Anfield is not as bad as it is being portrayed by some.

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